Central Piedmont Community College, Levine Campus Academic Building

The new academic building at Central Piedmont Community College's (CPCC) Levine Campus responds to growing demand for health sciences programs and corporate and continuing education courses. The multi-purpose addition strengthens CPCC's ability to prepare students for career placement while deepening its connections with the Charlotte community.

Central Gathering Space

The two-story atrium defines the building's interior, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the campus lake and flood the space with natural light. This central gathering space serves multiple purposes, displaying student work and hosting activity groups while functioning as the lobby for the Georgia Tucker Fine Arts Hall. The expansive first floor provides ample space for students, faculty, and staff to meet and collaborate.

Academic Spaces

The building houses a comprehensive range of learning spaces, including traditional classrooms, laboratories, and offices. Specialty facilities include a new library, academic learning center, math emporium, and black box theater. Throughout the building, flexible, configurable seating creates informal areas for both group and independent study. Smart technology enhances the learning experience in classrooms and computer labs, supporting interactive discussions and accommodating diverse learning styles.

The third floor is dedicated to health sciences programs, featuring simulation laboratories that recreate realistic clinic and hospital settings. These spaces, including nurse aid beds, procedures rooms, and medical assisting facilities, provide hands-on training for future medical professionals using simulation technology.

Community Arts Space

The Georgia Tucker Fine Arts Hall connects the college with the Charlotte community, hosting public speakers, concerts, fine art performances, and events. A notable feature is the black box theater, visible from a second-story mezzanine that allows visitors to observe activities below. The theater's retractable tiered seating enables multiple configurations, transforming the space from a traditional theater or theater-in-the-round to a large classroom or community conference venue.

Sustainable Design

As CPCC's first LEED Silver-certified building across all its campuses, the academic building demonstrates a commitment to sustainability. The design incorporates reflective roofing materials to reduce heat absorption, implements building systems that achieve 30 percent energy cost savings, and utilized 20 percent recycled materials during construction.